Rome full of sleepover choices

Rome has a full array of accommodation choices with a variety of hotels, apartments, B&Bs and even convents. Pick any option this time of year and you'll find it is all good news for availability and price.

Rates have never been more competitive as hotels have to share the tourist trade with apartment and private homeowners. The number of tourists has declined so much over the past three years that some hotels that were once booked months in advance are now showing vacancy signs yearround. Most important, the rates have not increased for four years.

Hotels are usually the first choice of travellers who plan to spend less than two weeks in the city. Reasonable nightly rates start at $150 depending on the time of year.

Still, my first choice for hotels in Rome is the Hotel Oceania. I have stayed there a number of times and have heard from readers who also have enjoyed their stays. The rooms are of an excellent standard, the location great for sightseeing and the coffee is the best in the city.

The owner extends a warm welcome throughout the day as he is very much aware of the value of returning clientele and how important word-of-mouth advertising can be in the hotel business. Details on rates are available at www.hoteloceania.it. Some apartment owners who have had the luxury of being able to use their city apartment only on a seasonal basis have now had to adjust to the new economy. They have found that by renting out their apartment on weekly, monthly or sometimes nightly basis can help to pay for the upkeep of owning the apartment. Tough tenancy laws discourage permanent rentals and owners find the tourist business an easier way to rent space on a temporary basis.

Apartments can be rented directly through the owners or by rental agencies. Searching these two options takes hours of scanning Internet sites and a leap of faith when it comes to sending a deposit and paying the balance. If you haven't the time or the courage to buy something unseen, it is probably better to stick to a hotel. Rates are similar to nightly hotel rates, but there is a great savings in being able to cook some of your meals. The wonderful markets make cooking easy.

The apartment I am renting is through an agency based in the Netherlands. I would like to recommend it to readers, but it seems I am a one-time client. I found the name of the agency quite by chance and sent a request for my stay. I received a very kind letter in reply to say they only dealt with the Netherlands market, but as they were always grateful for the kindness and bravery of the Canadian soldiers during the Second World War, they would make the exception for me. A story to make us all proud. I am checking out some apartment agencies while I am here and will be writing about them later. I prefer the PayPal method of payment as it gives the traveller a secure method to send payment.

Convents are really about the experience. Needless to say they are very quiet and most have an 11 p.m. curfew. The furnishings are basic and many have shared bathrooms. There are newer convents in towns like Sienna that have modern facilities that have been built to accommodate the tourist trade.

Information is available at www. santasusanna.org for convent stays throughout Italy.

Bed and breakfasts, or sleep and eat as some are called, are rising fast in popularity with tourists wanting more than just a hotel room.

Again, the economy has played a part in the business side of the tourist trade as an association has been formed to regulate private homes wishing to offer accommodation on a nightly basis. Rates are very reasonable and are especially a good choice for single travellers.

A big plus for this accommodation choice is a reasonable rate along with a chance to sit at a large Italian family table and get good tourist information from your hosts.

The variety of B&Bs range from modern homes to traditional buildings and farm stays. Details at www.bedandbreakfast.it

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